MARY BALDASANO and CHARLENE DEAN / PVT Teresa McElhinny cuddles with her youngest blue-winged macaw. McElhinny and a quaker parrot share a smooch of sorts. Advertisement

If you are a bird lover, you absolutely must visit Teresa's Birds and Stuff.

If you decide to purchase one, you can also purchase a complete portfolio of you with the bird from Pure Exposure Photography at the same place. The two businesses are owned by mother Teresa McElhinny and daughters Rosie Petersen and Rogene Sisk.

The businesses are in the Copper Creek Mall at 1240 State St., in the corner unit next to Frontier Doors and two doors down from Mom's Diner.

All the ladies admit they are taking a risk at this time of economic difficulties but due to the specialty of their businesses do not think they will feel much of an impact. The store is a family venture invested in by all as a joint effort.

McElhinny has been hand-raising birds of all species for 15 years. In addition to macaws she offers quaker parrots, green-cheek parrots, peach-faced lovebirds, silver diamond doves, parakeets, zebra finches, cockatiels, and other pets such as a member of the rodent family called a degu from Chile, and lion-head rabbits, which are extremely soft and friendly. All of the pets for sale are young, most from three to five months old.

"If you are interested in something I don't carry, just let me know and I will try to get it at a reasonable price," she said.

The store also offers toys, food, and supplements for birds, cats, dogs, guinea pigs, perches of natural materials and cages.

Prices for her birds range from $12.50 for finches to macaws at $1,200. Some birds like green macaws can be up to $1,800, but would have to be a special order.

"The hardest part of this business is the sale of a bird. After raising each one by hand and training the larger birds, it's really tough to sell them," she said. "It's important to me that the birds are happy in their new home. As a general rule, if the people are happy, the bird will be happy."

When owning a bird, it's best to keep a heat lamp on them. If they get cold, they will die, and it's nearly impossible to tell if they are ill until it's too late.

Sociability among birds depends on the way they are raised. If it is around other birds or people, they will be a lot more sociable. It is best to buy the larger birds when they are young as they can be socialized as they grow.

If you're interested in the purchase of breeding pairs, McElhinny said, "I won't sell a pair of breeders out of the store. People need to have a real understanding of birds, especially big birds -- they aren't getting what they think. Breeders aren't friendly pets and they can be mean and aggressive." Big birds such as macaws have extreme beak pressure capability as a defense mechanism and will use it if provoked.

One tip McElhinny gives is "you should never pull your hand away from a macaw when it jumps." Apparently that could result in a very painful experience. Also, you have to realize that the more birds you own, the noisier your home or business is going to be both day and night.

McElhinny wants to stress that while she breeds and raises birds and animals for sale, her business is not a rescue or drop-off point for any rescue organization.

On another note is Pure Exposure Photography, operated by Petersen and Sisk. The ladies offer photos of the birds at the store for minimal expense but make other forms of photography their specialty.

Their most impressive offering is photographing weddings. The ladies said, "We will be there for your wedding anytime, anyplace. We want to help you have beautiful pictures to look at for the rest of your life."

Their special place to do weddings is at the Winery as the surroundings are wonderful.

Oh, they also offer specialized photographs of both men and women for their special someone -- a little more private in nature.

Sisk said, "We use a Canon XTI professional digital camera. We offer our product in both CD and print format. The camera is easy, simple and easy to use."

"I first became interested in photography at the age of 9, and it just grew from there. I taught myself through books and just experimenting with different shots. I am teaching my sister and we are having some really good success," said Sisk.

The hardest thing about photography is the desert landscape because of its "sameness." Other things the ladies find difficult are moving subjects such as equestrian activities. Easier items such as portraits are usually available within a week or less.

Sisk said, "If you are interested in being a photographer, be sure to take college courses and just take lots of pictures, check the angles, and experiment."

Petersen added, "Be willing to work with people to get what you and they want from the photography."

Photographs of pets are also available.

Prices for location shots are $90 an hour, and in the studio, a $10 per person sitting fee. Custom packages are available as well.

Charlene Dean contributed to this story.